Pros and Cons of a Medical Marijuana Card

In the present scenario, taking cannabis, whether for medicinal or recreational purposes, is becoming normal. With the majority of the people are reforming the use of marijuana, States all across the US are changing their legislature. It is becoming significantly more acceptable to smoke weed. At present, marijuana is legal in 33 states, including Washington D.C. Of the 33 states, 11 of them allow its residents to use marijuana recreationally, while 22 states having medical marijuana programs requires individuals to have a Medical Marijuana Card (or MMJ card) for smoking pot.

Although the states have legalized marijuana (to some extent), some dispensaries require medical marijuana cards. Truth to be told, many consumers buy marijuana off market even if the substance is legalized in their states. This is because most people don’t want to go through the process of getting an MMJ card. States like California have a straightforward process of issuing the medical marijuana card, while some states make the applicant go through more complicated procedures.

In this
post, we will discuss everything you need to know about medical marijuana card.
As said, the application process for MMJ card varies from simple to somewhat
complicated, depending on the state you live in. Hence, the pros and cons may
vary slightly.

What is a medical marijuana card?

A cannabis
card or a medical marijuana card is an identification card, which is issued to
patients with qualifying medical conditions. The MMJ card gives the patients
permission to go to marijuana stores and buy cannabis for treating their
specific symptoms or medical conditions. On the other hand, the medical
marijuana card gives individuals the authorization to grow cannabis and use
marijuana delivery services as well.

According
to each state’s specific regulations, these cards are issued. In order to
qualify for a medical marijuana card, individuals are required to submit a
signed recommendation for their licensed physician. The physician must
highlight that marijuana is a useful treatment option for the patient. On the
other hand, the individual’s medical condition must comply with the state’s
regulations. That is, it must be an approved medical condition by the state you
are living in.

There are
many benefits and disadvantages associated with getting an MMJ card. In the
following section, we will be looking at the pros and cons of having a medical
marijuana card.

Medical Marijuana Card – the Pros

There are
plenty of benefits to having a medical marijuana card. Let’s have a look at
them all.

#1 You have legal protection

If you live
in any of the sates that have legalized medical marijuana, a medical marijuana
card is a must to possess. If you are caught with marijuana and doesn’t possess
an MMJ card, you will be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor, or even a felony
charge that could result in jail time (minimum one year), including a $2500
fine. So, having a medical marijuana card is your ticket to freedom, stating
that you can use marijuana legally.

#2 Buying cannabis becomes cheap

If you live
in a recreationally legal state, having a medical marijuana card can be the
difference between saving money and going on a spending frenzy. This is one of
the prime benefits of having an MMJ card. It saves you a lot of money. If you
possess an MMJ card, you can easily avoid retail and excise marijuana taxes.
States, including Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine, and California, offer tax
benefits for the MMJ cardholders. On the other hand, if you live in a medically
legal state, you can still save a lot as compared to prescription medications.
For example, Epidiolex, a drug made from the marijuana plant, can cost up to
$2500 a month. Having a medical marijuana card helps you get that drug for a
fraction of that cost.

#3 Dosage and limits

When it
comes to medical marijuana, the dose is particularly important. It requires an
incredibly potent and strong marijuana dose to ease your symptoms. While
medical dispensaries sell stronger weed, with an MMJ card, you can purchase
cannabis more than the average limit, which is 1000mg. You can buy up to 2000mg
of weed every time with your MMJ card. Moreover, you get quality weed with
greater THC concentrations. This is the main reason why patients who are
allowed to use medical marijuana are advised to apply for a medical marijuana
card.

#4 Different age limit and higher possession limits

Medical
marijuana cardholders can carry up to 8 ounces of weed on their person. That
is, MMJ cardholders can carry more weed than recreational users. Recreational
users are only allowed (legally) to use a maximum of 8 grams of weed. While
recreational use of marijuana is legal in all the states, an individual must be
at least 21 years of age for using weed. However, in some states, if a person
who is 18 and boasts an MMJ card, can easily get marijuana. On the other hand,
states possessing medical marijuana programs allow minors to use medical
marijuana in the presence of a named caregiver.

Medical Marijuana Card – the Cons

Now that
you have understood the advantages of having an MMJ card let us have a look at
the disadvantages.

#1 An MMJ card has to be renewed every year

You may
don’t know, but applying for an MMJ card till you receive it, the whole
procedure is somewhat a daunting process. There are a lot of formalities to be
taken care of, and you need to prove the legislation why you are eligible for
MMJ card. The sad part is, even if your MMJ card is issued, you have to renew
it the next year to continue taking benefits from it.

#2 Applying for jobs

Since the
use of marijuana is a debatable topic, employers won’t find it pleasing if
their employees use this drug. Moreover, even if you possess an MMJ card to
show proof, it is not valid in most organizations.

Final Words

Overall, we
would recommend that you review the pros and cons of having a medical marijuana
card before you think of applying for it. You need to know what you are getting
into.